‘A very wise man once said to me’, Ruben Dias begins. I’m sure this will work out. “He told me we didn’t lose the final, we just got one step closer.”
Dias would not reveal the wise man’s identity, so we must assume it was not in fact a higher power or the Manchester City defender reciting a leadership book designed for mid-level management.
Whoever it was – father, agent, boss – it’s a point that will resonate within the City team. They must use the experience of losing the 2021 Champions League final, against a Chelsea team coached by the man they received on Tuesday night, and last year’s late semi-final capitulation at Real Madrid.
It would be odd if they didn’t, and until this club takes the one title that has yet eluded them, these big nights will all have a Groundhog Day feel to them. Everyone just waits for them to do it. “When there was a moment of doubt, I listened to these words and it made more sense,” added Dias. “They echoed in my head.”
City’s season effectively kicks off on Tuesday night, with the Bayern Munich behemoth in town and the subplot of an uneasy reunion with loanee Joao Cancelo.
Ruben Dias claims Manchester City are ‘ready’ to battle to win three trophies this season
They embark on a run of 16 possible matches to decide their campaign at Bayern Munich
Dias and Pep Guardiola both talked about how they are enjoying this stage of a campaign, talked about the achievement of still fighting on three fronts when the flowers are handed out.
There are a maximum of 16 games left to play, with City now performing at a higher level than they have all year. A treble is achievable, albeit unlikely. Either way, history is there to be understood.
“Our team is fueled by these moments and that’s a really good quality to have,” said Dias. “One thing is certain: when we get to this stage, we will be ready. I can guarantee that we are here and will fight for everything.’
That is not in question and City, in a sixth successive quarter-final – the longest run across the continent – are just missing that last bit of stardust. Or luck. Or both.
Bayern, with Thomas Tuchel, will offer a good examination in the next eight days. Guardiola – “surprised” by the recent sacking of Julian Nagelsmann – is wary of Tuchel, who beat him three times in a matter of weeks two years ago.
Of course, that included beating him in that Porto final, when City just didn’t show up.
The German’s record against Guardiola is decent, although he was tactically outmaneuvered at Stamford Bridge last season when City first deployed Bernardo Silva as a defensive midfielder.
Of those who have played Tuchel at least five times, only Felix Magath – he of Fulham infamous – and ex-Cologne boss Peter Stoger have limited Tuchel teams to fewer goals per 90 minutes than Guardiola.
The two first met in Germany, pepper pots and salt shakers swinging around a dining room table over a meal as they exchanged tactical ideas after Tuchel impressed in Mainz.
Guardiola is generous with his time for young coaches – until they become opponents competing for the same silverware, and that certainly applies to this relationship.
Thomas Tuchel’s Bayern will be a formidable test for Man City in Tuesday’s quarter-final
Tuchel believes his side, including Kingsley Coman and Dayot Upamecano, are underdogs
They spent two evenings together in Munich, with Guardiola suggesting that Tuchel should replace him at Bayern, and the conversation would continue at lightning speed.
Very few can keep up with Guardiola, but Tuchel managed it with ease. It was also one of Mikel Arteta’s great strengths when he was an assistant at the Etihad Stadium.
“I’m not a fanboy,” Tuchel said. “I was very grateful that he shared his thoughts and ideas with me. It is not something to be taken for granted. As a coach I was not a big name. It was a great opportunity for me.’
While Matthijs de Ligt was constantly researching how to stop Erling Haaland, Matthijs de Ligt labeled City as the strongest team left in the league.
Tuchel, meanwhile, had trouble sleeping on Sunday and complained of driving thoughts about this match. Instead, he chose to go to the Sabener Strasse training ground in the early hours.
“Maybe we’re playing as a slight underdog, which isn’t a problem,” Tuchel added.
“We don’t do philosophy classes. We don’t guess what Pep is thinking about. We’ve analyzed City in the last four weeks and they are the current gold standard, it’s a big task for us.’
On Monday night, Bayern didn’t want anyone to remember their immense pedigree and incredible selection. The whole thing had something childish about it.
Pep Guardiola said losses are common in the sport as his side aim for an unlikely treble
Tuchel was tossing and turning.
Meanwhile, Guardiola, who simultaneously studied the opposition on Sunday and watched compatriot Jon Rahm don a green jacket, seems to be seeing ghosts everywhere these days, anticipating questions about alleged ‘failure’.
“How many Masters has Jack Nicklaus played or how many majors has he played in his career?” Guardiola asked. In 30-40 years as a golfer, four majors [a year]. How many wins out of 130? Eighteen wins out of 130. Wow.
He loses more than he wins. That’s sports. In football, golf, basketball, Michael Jordan, the best athlete for me in basketball, won six NBA titles in 16 years. He loses more than he wins.
“What’s important is to be here, to compete well, to give our best, knowing that we have to be perfect to try and get a good result to go to Germany. Not more than that. This is how I live my profession. If I lose after that, I lose. I am not perfect.’